Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Petlife.
We Didn't Get the Dog We Wanted
Sometimes we don’t get the dog we want; rather, we get the dog we need. Case in point: Sunny, a part-border-collie rescue dog, returned to foster three times before he came to live with us at 10 months of age. Sweet but traumatized, he was a dog who needed a stable environment. We were frustrated by his excessive neediness and fear-based aggression. As a border collie, he was whip-smart and learned quickly, but we never believed he would end up teaching us to love, grieve, and be more empathetic.
By Catherine Kenwell4 years ago in Petlife
Dear Bob
Dear Bob; aka Fuzzbutt, Doofus, Rrrrrrrrobert, and Shithead, I have lived with cats most of my life, but never one quite like you. Previous feline roommates have always been very laid back and well-behaved, as far as cats go. You, however, have been a very entertaining handful these past 5 years.
By Janet Patterson4 years ago in Petlife
Never Underestimate the Mysterious Powers of a Determined Cat
Much like the color of your car, the decision to adopt an animal should never be taken lightly. In a former life, not in a “past lives” sense but in the “many years ago and I was with a different partner” sense, I visited Hawaii for the first time. It was nowhere within the realm of possibility that I might adopt a cat. Sometimes I can be very naive.
By Dakota Duncan4 years ago in Petlife
Little, Black Bear
Author's Note: The following is not a well-formatted or thought out poem. It is not flowing, rhyming, eloquent, or elegant. It is rough, scattered, unruly, and painful. One year ago my Liwu passed. He had cancer, and we had to let him go two days after the anniversary of my father's death. Now, in addition to my father, and my beautiful, perfect puppy, two days ago, I lost a very dear friend. The following poem is a clumsy attempt at vocalizing grief. It is more for myself than the reader, and it is also not a pleasant read. If this is something that would be too traumatic to read, please stop here. If you would like to know a little more about this beautiful and perfect little gift from above in canine form, click HERE to read all about him. He was and always will be the world's best dog. I love you my little Liwu (Mandarin for "gift). The following song describes (to a much lesser degree) the feeling without my best friend. xx
By Lena Beana4 years ago in Petlife
4 Small Ways in Which Having a Dog Changes You for the Better
I brought my puppy home a year ago, and I've spent some time reflecting on this past year. Raising my pup has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I've noticed myself changing a lot through this journey.
By Aditi Balaji4 years ago in Petlife
The Legend of Moodawg
The Legend of Moodawg We were told about Moodawg from a friend. She discovered the creature in her local pet store. He was about six months old, languishing in a cage built for a small puppy. Dogs like him often came from puppy mills who sold them to small ma and pa pet stores.
By Bob Korolus4 years ago in Petlife
Cages
I am trapped in a cage I didn’t make. My wings have atrophied from a lack of use, and I no longer know if my voice works. Even if it did, I do not know of what I would sing about. If anything, I think I would scream. My throat would become raw, but at least I would know that I still have a voice, even if I could hardly recognize it. My words would be those of a disembodied voice, reminiscent of the days that I still had hope that things would get better. But sometimes things don’t get better. Sometimes your wings atrophy and your voice fades and you are left not quite broken but out of use. At least broken things can be fixed. I have forgotten how to be alive. If I ever had a purpose, I have forgotten what it was, and it’s likely that it was never that fulfilling in the first place.
By Stella McKay4 years ago in Petlife
Sigrunn - My best girl
I have owned many pets throughout my life. My family often moved around due to the nature of my fathers job. Due to the constant uprooting of homes and friendships my parents were inclined to provide their three daughters with animals as a form of companionship. We had owned dogs, cats, birds, fish, mice, rabbits and at one stage even chickens. I loved every single one and decided quickly that in the future I would never live without at least one pet.
By Altintrovert4 years ago in Petlife
Whether Your Dog is Goofy, Naughty, or Independent, They were Born a Show Dog! Here's Why.... Top Story - November 2021. Created with: Ollie.
Your dog doesn’t need to be primped and preened to be the perfect pup. Boris and Doug know doggone-well that being a show dog means more than haircuts and fluffing up. When you think of “show dogs,” well-groomed pups prancing across the stage come to mind. But you don’t need to do all that to get your dog looking sharp behind the lens.
By Boris and Doug 4 years ago in Petlife
